Mineral processing is the first step of extractive metallurgy. Efficient mineral processing and beneficiation helps in getting better productivity and process efficiency.
Mineral processing is intermediary step between mining and metal extraction. Mineral processing is generally carried out to enrich(or modify) the ores so that they can be used for economical extraction of metal.
Some examples:
1) Pelletization of fines to utilize low grade fines
2) Roasting of sulphide ores to make them suitable for pyro-metallurgy route.
3) Heap(Or Dump) leaching of ores in mines itself to improve the concentration of ore in the mine product.